Latest update December 25th, 2024 1:10 AM
Latest News
- Guyanese losing millions from Govt. and Opposition’s failure to to manage oil sector
- ‘Guyana’s Stabroek Block success is like a Michelin Star Restaurant’ – Exxon official
- Gaza appeals for help as Israeli army attacks key hospitals
- Face the Press, Mr. President!
- State makes application to revoke Brutus’ bail
Ballr Cup Tri Nations ODI Series …Windies battle ODI World champs Australia today
By Zaheer Mohamed
The West Indies got off their Ballr Cup Tri Nations ODI Series campaign on a positive note
Head Coach Phil Simmons speaks with Johnson Charles during yesterday’s net session.
with a four-wicket win against South Africa on Friday. Now the home team turns their attention to the world’s number one ranked Australia when they clash from 13:00hrs today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
While Jason Holder’s men are brimming with confidence, Head Coach Phil Simmons admitted that there is room for improvement; a predicted full house will hope that the West Indies maintain their unbeaten streak in Guyana.
A lot will depend on the experience of Sunil Narine who took a career best 6-27 in the opening game and the exciting Kieron Pollard who returned to Windies colours with an unbeaten match-winning 67 if the West Indies are to come out victorious against the more formidable Aussies.
The pitch is expected to favour the spinners and while Narine can be more than a handful, he will need similar support which was skillfully provided in the first game from Carlos Brathwaite, Jason Holder and Jerome Taylor to restrict the Australians.
Simmons will hope that Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin who needs another 66 runs to achieve 2000 runs, lay the foundation for Pollard and company to capitalize on in the later stages.
While the West Indies have opted not to play Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo, the Aussies have included Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh who have all recovered from injuries and will want to prove that they
Head Phil Simmons makes a point to his charges while getting warmed for a net session.
are fully fit.
Australia’s line up of recent included three all-rounders, four specialist batsmen and three bowlers, but taking into consideration the nature of the providence pitch, they may be forced to field two specialist spinners in Nathon Layon and Adam Zampa.
Fast bowler Starc needs another 10 wickets for 100 scalps in ODIs while Zampa who made headlines in the IPL may find the pitch much to his liking. David Warner who led Sunrisers Hyderabad to IPL triumph spearheads a powerful batting lineup which includes Captain Steve Smith, Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja. Gates open from 11:00hrs.
West Indies: Jason Holder (capt), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Shannon Gabriel, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.
Australia: Steven Smith (capt), David Warner, George Bailey, Scott Boland, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade (wk), Adam Zampa.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animals!
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Ah, Christmas—the season of goodwill, good cheer, and, let’s not forget, good riddance!... more
Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The year 2024 has underscored a grim reality: poverty continues to be an unyielding... more
Weekend Cartoon
